WELCOME to our guests. Please complete the “Record of Fellowship” and/or sign our narthex guest book.  NURSERY available in church lower level during Sunday worship; “Wee Ones” care during Bible Class.  SOUND:  Special hearing devices available (ask usher). LARGE PRINT bulletin copies and COPIES of the worship services and sermons (cassettes, VCR tapes, DVDs, printed sermons and E-Mail sermons) are available.  IMAGES:  Our services are taped on DVD and/or VCR devices and are considered as public “exhibitions,” including presentation on radio and Cable TV.  By their presence, participants agree to the recording and display of these images.   

WELCOME to Immanuel Lutheran Church.  With the opening of school this past Wednesday our focus is on our Christian Day School and our day school theme for the year, “By the Book,” as we acknowledge the use and reliance on God’s inspired Word—the Holy Bible.  Also, Vicar Brian Weaver presents his first sermon in our midst in both services.  His work at Immanuel will focus on Faith Odyssey Sunday School, youth and family life concerns as well as the “normal” ministerial functions of preaching, hospital and shut in visits, and ministry to the members and friends of Immanuel.  Also, we invite you to get to know our teaching and support staff.  Join us for the welcoming fellowship time in the Fellowship Hall (lower level) hour after the 8:00 worship service.        --Pastor Willis R. Schwichtenberg and Pastor Richard “Ros” Schultz

Our Congregational Weekly Bible Studies

SERVING NEXT SUNDAY, September 5, 2010

+ + IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE + +

Today’s Altar Flowers are placed by Glenn Coomber in loving memory of Loraine, and in remembrance of their anniversary (8/31) and her birthday (9/10) and thanking God for special blessings. The Center Compote is placed in honor of Stu and Lois and Ben and Karen Luedtke’s wedding anniversaries.

This week’s Eternal Light Candle is provided by the people of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Today’s “Introspect” program is given in loving memory of Loraine Coomber by Glenn, in honor of her birthday which would have been on September 10, and their wedding anniversary on August 31st.                                                                                          

Weekly Memorial and Special Gift Opportunities:  Altar Flowers ($15 for two side bouquets; $12.50 for center compote)…Eternal Light Candle ($12 each)…Weekly Bulletin ($15 each)…Introspect Radio ($36 each week).  Thank you for your support! 

DEADLINE CHANGE:  Our deadline for Sunday bulletin items has changed to Thursday noon.  Please submit your articles and items for the bulletin by Thursday noon.  Thank you! 

OUR PRAYERS:  Those who have been sick or in the hospital, including Clora Haier (hospitalized at St. Anthony’s in Rockford), Gerry Allison, Rod Gieseke, Sherri Kalmar (who is doing much better), Marty Staska, Judy Redfearn, Bill Daughenbaugh, Geraldine Loppnow. Marissa Erdman…for the family of Baby Emma Schultz (granddaughter of Eunice Coomber) at Baby Emma’s death on Thursday at 14 months of age…for Charles Haas III (CJ) who is now deployed in Afghanistan…for our shut ins and homebound…for all dealing with financial problems…for marriages in crisis…for the ability to share our faith in Jesus by what we do and say…for proper use of our TALENT…the fruit of the Spirit which is…PEACE…for proper use of the Gift of the Holy Spirit which is…KNOWLEDGE…for our Board of Properties…for the mission and ministry of Immanuel. 

NEXT SUNDAY’S SCRIPTURE:  Proper 18 – September 5, 2010 – Psalm 1, Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Philemon 1-21, Luke 14:25-35.

PRAYER DAY:  Our next all day “Day of Prayer” is set for this Thursday, September 2.  Sign up with Pastor Schwichtenberg via E-mail or see the sign-up sheet on the clipboard in the narthex to pray at church or home. 

CONCORDIA SOCIETY: will meet Wednesday, September 1, in Fellowship Hall at 12 noon for a share-a-dish luncheon. Officers will furnish drinks and dessert. Devotions will be led by Pastor Schwichtenberg on Parables Overview – (Matthew 9:34-17).Yearly dues of $7.00 will be collected as well as a “Free Will Offering” and a Mission Jar of 50 cents. 

YOUTH BOARD SCHOLARSHIPS: Based on involvement and faithful dedication to the Immanuel Lutheran Church and its Youth Ministry program, three high school graduates have been awarded a special one time scholarship, they are: Emily Kohlbauer, Kim Medler, and Haley Funk. One ongoing scholarship was also awarded to Katie Martin who is  pursuing church work. These awards have been generously provided through the Gerald Crouse Endowment Fund. May God bless and guide these young people in their educational endeavors to the glory of His Holy Name. Congratulations! Jeremiah 29:11. 

SPECIAL THANKS to Harrell and Eileen Wiggins for their continued efforts on beautifying the church.  You can see their latest handiwork near the church bell tower and in front of the church.  We praise God for the ability to use our talents to His glory and the beautification of His Church.  Thanks again, Harrell and Eileen! 

IMMANUEL TWO PRESENTATIONS:  Each week our “Immanuel Two” presentations feature a mission or ministry in the congregation or includes special information.  To schedule an Immanuel Two, please talk to or e-mail Pastor Schwichtenberg.  Our upcoming schedule is:
Sunday, August 29 – Fellowship Hour Coming September 5
Sunday, September 5 – Open
Sunday, September 12 – PTL/School Activities 

TELEPHONE:  Have you “dropped” your land line for a cell phone?  Please let the church office know so that we can update our records. 

NEW MEN’S CLASS:  Our Saturday Men’s Bible is studying the book of Judges from the Old Testament.  The breakfast is “Dutch treat” but your first breakfast with the group is free!  Why not consider joining the men each Saturday from 7:00-8:00 a.m. at the Landmark Restaurant, One East Main, in downtown Freeport?! 

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER: The Child Development Center is in need of additional staff members during times when many children are present from 7:30 to 8:45 each morning as well as each afternoon from 3:00 to 5:00.  These may be short time periods, but still, an important position.  For more information, or to fill out an application, please stop by the office at school, or call Stephanie Yarzak, director of the Child Development Center at 232-3443. 

PRAYER CHAIN and/or MID-WEEK BULLETINS:  Are you getting your Prayer Chain updates and/or the Mid-Week bulletins from Pastor Schwichtenberg?  If not, e-mail him at pastorswitz@ourgodwithus.com to be included in our “mailings.”  

NEW YELLOW BOOKLET:  For several years we have been publishing a “Yellow Booklet” with information about our church.  A new seventh edition of this booklet has just been published and is available in the narthex.  Why not share a copy with your family/friends? 

FLOCK A FRIEND:  What would your friends say to a flock of 24 pink flamingos on their lawn?  Surprise them for a special occasion or for a good laugh.  The 8^th graders have a flock and will send it out at your request for a $20 donation.  (You can also pay to “block the flock.”)  8^th grader Nolan Ruthe can send the birds flying at your request.  His number is 821-5929.  Proceeds benefit the Class Trip Fund.    

COUNSELOR:  The Rev. Nick Bell is in the counseling office at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1320 South Blackhawk, on Thursdays.  He is willing to meet with any of our members or friends for a consultation.  You can reach him through the local intake number at 815/232-2243 or via the LCFS intake number, 800/363-5237.  This counseling ministry is supported by Immanuel, Our Redeemer and St. John Lutheran in Lena. 

WORSHIP:  When you are in town for the weekend we ask that you make every effort to be in church (worship) on Sunday to remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.  And don’t forget our Bible classes.  We are strong and stronger when we come together to worship and support one another in the faith.  We thank you for your partnership in the Gospel.  If you cannot be at worship on Sunday we encourage you to worship on Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. 

LOST AND FOUND: The lost and found box in the church is BURSTING! This box is located on the shelf above the east coat rack in the narthex. Please check it and remove any of your belongings. Thanks. 

FLOWER CHARTS:  The 2011 Flower Charts are posted on the kiosk in the narthex with carry-overs from this year. Check your dates to be sure they are correct for the 2011 year. If not, call Betty Schlosser, 815.235.3721. 

ADMINISTRATIVE AIDE:  Applications are being accepted for the position of Administrative Aide. This part-time person would assist Mr. Welton with classroom-related and administrative duties. Contact Mr. Welton at 815.232.3511 for more information and an application. 

THIS WEEK ...

PLAYGROUND: Thanks to the generosity of an Immanuel School family, gifts to the school’s future playground climber are being matched – up to $5000.  The current wooden structure is over 20 years old and has been cut down once to be moved.  The new structure would be a metal climber, similar to those at many area parks.  The matching gift offer extends through Labor Day.  Current gifts being matched are $3671.   

INSTALLATION:  Teacher Installation and Special Sunday School Hour:  The teachers and staff of Immanuel Lutheran School are being installed during our services today.  All are welcome to greet the staff between services, in the Fellowship Hall.  Three LCD projectors will be dedicated during a program at that time. These projectors have been installed in the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grade classrooms. They are memorials to Sandi Fluechting, Doris Larsen, and Lois Short. A PowerPoint demonstration about the school will be shown as a way to highlight these special gifts. Also being dedicated will be a new set of classroom desks for the 3^rd grade. These are a memorial to Bob Stone. Please plan to attend this special time. 

BAPTISMS TODAY:  After our 10:30 service this morning (about 11:45 a.m.) we are baptizing twin children of Tyson and Rachel (Duff) Juergens.  The children being baptized are ELIZA GRACE JUERGENS and CHASE WILLIAM JUERGENS, born May 9, 2010 in Burlington, Wisconsin.  The Juergens are members of St. Peter Lutheran in Waterford, Wisconsin.  Sponsors for Chase are Mike Horstmeier, Dan Barutha, Mike Shaddix and Tucker Juergens.  Sponsors for Eliza are Renee Duff, Deanna Lowery, Kailey Reas, and Tyne Shaddix. 

TEXT MESSAGES: “Would you like to receive text messages concerning important events and reminders about what is going on at Immanuel?” Text rschultz@immanuellutheranfreeport.com and you will receive occasional text messages with important reminders and thoughts for upcoming items. Stay in the loop by texting “text me” and your name to the above. 

RALLY DAY – SEPTEMBER 12: We’re showcasing our Sunday morning Bible Studies – Faith Odyssey, and our Growing God’s Disciples small groups on our rally day this year! Members will be able to register for a class and will be able to sign up to be a part of a small group.

Sermon for Aug. 22, 2010

Immanuel’s Ministry By Manuscript
Immanuel Lutheran Church - Freeport, Illinois

The Rev. Dr. Willis R. Schwichtenberg, Pastor  

“Some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last” (Luke 13:30)
12^th in a series on “Finishing Words of Jesus”

Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our heavenly Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Our text is the Gospel lesson as we continue our series on the “Finishing Touches” of Jesus…the “Finishing Words” of Jesus…is, again, the Gospel, and today we especially look at the last verse…verse (30) Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”  

(And, by the way, that’s the point of the picture on the front cover of today’s bulletin…Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet…the same letters that are on our “Christ candle” here near the pulpit…the last shall be first and the first shall be last.) 

            This is our text for the day.  In the Name of Jesus, dear friends in Christ.  (8:00-Vicar “to be”) (10:30-Vicar) Brian Weaver…this is serious business.  (Pause)  This is serious business.  Really! 

            The fun and games are over.  Grade school.  High School.  College.  Two years of seminary.  Summer jobs.  Living in your parents’ homes.  The wedding.  The move.  Driving that big truck.  The fun and games are over.  And, now, this is serious business. 

When I was installed as pastor at Trinity and Zion Lutheran Churches in Sheldon and Gilman, Wisconsin, a long time ago, the retiring pastor, Pastor E.M.F. Jording, preached my installation sermon and it was on the twelve year old Jesus “lost” in the Temple and preaching to the doctors and teachers.  “Didn’t you know that I must be about my father’s business?” Jesus asked, as recorded in the King James Version.   

Or we could translate it, “Didn’t you know that I needed to be in my Father’s house?”  “Didn’t you know that I must be about my father’s business?”  (Luke 2:49)  And Pastor Jording said the work of the ministry is our father’s business and that it is serious business and that it is big business.  And it really is. 

In today’s Gospel lesson the question that is asked is truly fascinating.  I always think that it is one of the disciples who asks this question, but it’s not clear in this account in Luke.  We read in verse (22) Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as He made His way to Jerusalem.  (23) Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” 

You know, we almost expect Jesus to say, “Oh, no, don’t worry about it.  Lots and lots of people are going to be saved and go to heaven.  Don’t trouble yourselves about this question.  Everybody will be OK.  Everybody goes to heaven anyway!”   

But Jesus doesn’t even go there…He doesn’t try to soften the answer to this question…instead, He says in verse (24) “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 

Jesus is saying, “It’s true.  It’s not easy.”  It seems as if Jesus is building on His tough statements from last week’s Gospel that Pastor Schultz addressed in his sermon when Jesus says that He doesn’t really come to bring earthly peace.  “In fact,” Jesus says, “the peace that I bring can divide families.” 

He is saying that it is not easy to be saved.  He is saying that it is not easy being a Christian.  He is saying that it is not easy being a pastor or a vicar or a DCE or a Christian teacher or an Elder or a Sunday School teacher or an officer or committee member or a devout and worshiping Christian.  It’s not easy being you! 

Jesus is saying, “Hang in there…be focused…worship…study the Scriptures…repent of Your sins…believe the good news about Jesus…follow God’s will and God’s ways…Serve and help your fellow human beings” and so forth.  “But,” He’s saying, “I’m not guaranteeing some easy route or “namby pamby” life or ‘Christianity Lite.’” 

Jesus is saying that it is tough.  Now, of course we have to be careful.  On this question about the narrow road we realize that there are some cults and some small fringe groups that believe that they are the only ones with the true Gospel and that they are the only ones who will be saved. 

I get a couple of publications in the mail from churches like this.  One of them is this church with a few thousand members that believes that they are the only ones with the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and that they are the only ones who will be saved. 

Yes, Jesus talks about the narrow road.  It may not be easy.  And, yes, this is serious business.  But it is God’s business…and God is the best businessman and boss and leader and CEO that there could ever be.  And Vicar Weaver, you’re not working for me…you’re not working for the seminary…and you’re not working for the church…and you’re not even working for yourself or for Victoria…you are working for Jesus…you are definitely working “for the man”…the God-man, Jesus Christ…the Son of God and the Savior of the world. 

And that’s exciting and serious and profound.  (Short Pause)  Now, does that mean it’s never any fun?  Hardly.  I sign my letters with the phrase “It’s a joy to serve” and it’s not just a phrase…I really believe it.  “It is a joy to serve” and sometimes it can be a lot of fun. 

At that same installation service in Northern Wisconsin in October of 1972 Pastor Jording’s son…Howard Jording…who was also a pastor (and who is still serving in North Dakota)…went to the pulpit ahead of time when his father wasn’t looking and with a twinkle in his eye, he mixed up the pages of his father’s sermon manuscript for the sermon he was going to be preaching.  I saw him do it. 

I wondered what was going to happen but I remember that Pastor Edwin M.F. Jording was undaunted…when he got into the pulpit as the sermon hymn was being sung, he looked through the pages…suspicious, I think, of his son’s motives…he knew his son too well…and he put the pages back in order. 

Serious?  Of course.  But it doesn’t mean that you can’t have some good Christian fun.  And I’m even convinced that this was the type of relationship that Jesus had with His disciples
·         as He named one the “rock”…the one who sunk like a rock…Peter.
·         and as He gave two brothers the name “Sons of Thunder” because I think that they were loud mouths…James and John.
·         and He said that Nathanael was “an Israelite without guile” even though Nathanael had just said some pretty nasty things about Nazareth…
·         and to test her faith He told a Samaritan woman that she should be used to eating like a dog…and this woman beautifully responded that “even dogs…even little puppies deserved crumbs.”

            I’m not sure that Jesus was always “politically correct”…He didn’t need to be…but He surely was “spiritually correct”…and the serious business of saving the bodies and souls and spirits of human beings was always on His mind. 

On my new car I have “Sirius Radio” and a free satellite subscription for a year.  One of my favorite stations is the “50’s on 5” which plays all of the old favorites from the 1950’s.  I love it.  But, occasionally, I tune into the All Elvis Channel, or the E-Street Station of Bruce Springsteen songs or the Willie Nelson station and others.  And I’ve been trying to listen to Bob Dylan’s program on “Deep Tracks” but I’m not usually in the car from 11:00 until midnight. 

Now, these things are fun…and, thank God, for things that we can enjoy…but, ultimately, they are far from important.  Last Sunday Pastor Schultz related the story of the seminarian from Russia…Sergi (Sir-gay) who saw his Christian pastor murdered simply because he was a Christian pastor.  Now, that’s serious and that’s important! 

We read in our text:  Jesus said to them, (24) “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.  (25) Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ 

“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’  (26) Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’  We went to church.  We tried to be good.  We gave some money.  We supported this and that.  We tried to help out where we could.  But we didn’t want to become weirdos and we didn’t want to get too serious and we didn’t want to become one of “those” kinds of Christians.”   

And verse (27) “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.  Away from me, all you evildoers!’  (28) “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 

            And then Jesus adds these “finishing touch” words in verse (29) “People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.  (30) Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” 

Now, that’s serious and that’s the serious business that all of us are in as part of this congregation and as part of the Body of Christ!   

This past week I couldn’t help but get a little nostalgic as I thought about Vicar Brian Weaver and his installation today.  Forty years ago tomorrow I was installed as vicar at Trinity Lutheran in Danville, Illinois…August 23, 1970…and I preached my first sermon there on August 30, 1970.

And next Sunday Vicar Weaver will preach his first sermon in our midst.  He already sent me his first draft of the sermon a couple of weeks ago.  He’s ready!   

I love Star Trek:  The Next Generation and I remember the episode in which Ensign Wesley Crusher is leaving the Enterprise to go to the academy on planet earth.  And Captian Jean Luc Picard says to him, “Oh, I envy you, Wesley Crusher.”   

I guess that’s how I feel about someone like Vicar Brian Weaver or Pastor Ros Schultz or Student Katie Martin or any of our college students and those entering the work force and more…and about anyone embarking on new and serious things in their lives, including you who serve as Elders and congregational leaders and officers and chairmen and more. 

Fun and games?  Yes and no.  This is serious business.  And, yet, in terms of our Christian faith, it is heady times.  Exciting.  It’s a blast to be a Christian.  It’s a kick to be trusted to serve.  It’s overwhelming to know that God promises His very Holy Spirit to guide and bless and strengthen and fortify you for whatever comes your way.  And you’re not even on your own.  You have the strength of God backing you up. 

Yes, people will come from the east and the west and the north and the south.  And they will come because God is in charge of His church.  His very son, Jesus Christ, died for the church…His very son, Jesus Christ, made the church possible…and His very son, Jesus Christ, rose from the dead to seal our future and to seal our eternity.  Oh, the things and the people that we think are first will probably be last…and the things and people we think of last will probably be first.  And those are the “finishing touch” words of Jesus in verse (30) Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” 

And that’s why it is my prayer this morning, Vicar Weaver, as you embark upon this phase of your ministerial training that you would realize and cherish the daily blessing of your God and Savior. 

By the way, that same encouragement applies to all of us here today as we confess our sins…as we repent of them…as we believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ…the Good News…that Jesus is our Savior.  May God grant this to us for Jesus’ sake.  Amen. 

Sermon for Aug. 19, 2010

Immanuel’s Ministry By Manuscript
Immanuel Lutheran Church - Freeport, Illinois

The Rev. Dr. Willis R. Schwichtenberg, Pastor  

“Forty”
(based on Acts 1:3)
Outdoor Worship

Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our heavenly Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  

Our text for this evening is Acts chapter 1, verse (3) After His suffering, (Jesus) showed Himself to (the apostles) and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive.  He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 

This is our text for the day.   

(Can anyone give me a number between 39 and 41?  -wait-  First time!) 

And guess what number is on my mind this evening? (Pause) Forty.  (And for our new vicar and others who may not regularly be with us on Thursday nights…we often use Power Point presentations…but in this outdoor service I have to go with our “default setting”… something that I call the “poor man’s” Power Point.) 

But, anyway, our number for tonight is “Forty.”  And forty refers to many things in the Bible. 

One of the most important is the 40 days that Jesus appeared on this earth after His resurrection.  In the Apostles Creed we say (and we said this evening), “He descended into hell…and on the third day He rose again from the dead…(and) He ascended into heaven…and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty and from thence will come to judge the living and the dead.” 

It also refers to many other things in the pages of the Bible…and I’m sure that with some time, many of us could come up with a detailed list.

·         It rained 40 days and 40 nights at the time of the flood.

·         Moses was on Mt. Sinai 40 days getting the 10 Commandments.

·         And in the book of Deuteronomy Moses said that he fell on his face and prayed for God’s people in the wilderness for 40 days (Deuteronomy 9:25).

·         And the spies checked out Canaan for 40 days.

·         And the children of Israel wandered around in the desert for 40 years.

·         In the book of Judges there was often 40 years of evil…followed by a Judge who would bring 40 years of peace.

·         For 40 days the eight foot Goliath challenged God’s people until the boy David took up the challenge with five smooth stones.

·         David and Solomon and Joash…good kings of Judah…each reigned 40 years.

·         And the prophet Jonah preached to Nineveh 40 days and 40 nights.

·         Jesus was tempted for 40 days in the wilderness.

·         Also, in the New Testament the Apostle Paul says that 5 times he received 40 lashes minus one.

·         And there were 40 men in the plot to kill Paul and end His preaching of Christ and the resurrection.

·         And the book of Revelation also has some references to 40. 

You know what, Vicar “to be” Weaver?…Forty is also the number of vicarage.  I’ll talk more about that Sunday,

·         40 sermons?  Maybe

·         40 weeks of work?  Well, I think we’re hoping for 50 or so.

·         40 days off?  Well, I hope so.  At least one day off a week would suggest more than 50.

·         40 new ideas?  Again, I hope so.

·         But 40 is the number of vicarage. 

And for Mrs. Dietmeier…Diane …forty is the number of her life.  She is 40 years old tonight on her birthday.  (Well, she’s at least 40, isn’t she?) 

But we need to explore this number “40” a little bit more.  In the Bible the number 40 always implies this sense of completeness… when something happens for 40 days it indicates that something is indeed complete. 

Forty days of rain.  Sin and evil are wiped out.  Totally.  Forty days on Mt. Sinai getting the 10 Commandments.  God is totally in charge.  A forty-year reign for a judge or a king.  A blessing from God.  And forty years of sin and evil…enough judgment for anyone. 

Or we think of Jonah and those 40 days of preaching repentance.  God doesn’t just swoop down and destroy evil without warning.  God gives us time.  God gives us time.  And I guess if we are messing up our lives, God gives us time.  Time to repent.  Time to turn our back on evil and time to turn to the cross.  And we all need that, don’t we?! 

And the example of Jesus in the New Testament being tempted for 40 days implies this sense of God being totally in charge of this war against Satan and evil and death.   

And when Satan comes to Jesus

·         and tempts Him with food (and Jesus was hungry)…

·         and tempts Him with showmanship (and Jesus could have jumped off that Temple pinnacle)…

·         and tempts Him with an easy road to fame and power (worshipping Satan Himself and maybe even avoiding the cross).   

But Jesus keeps saying “No.”  “No, no, no…no, no, no, no, no!”  And He quotes Scripture to prove it and support it. 

·         “Man doesn’t live by bread alone.” 

·         “Don’t tempt God.” 

·         And, “Worship God totally and only.” (Matthew 4:1-11) 

And these forty days of temptation are all for the ultimate purpose of showing us who should be in charge of our lives and who is in charge of our lives.  Jesus.  Jesus.  Jesus.  Jesus who lived and who suffered and who died.  Jesus our Savior…the Lord, Jesus Christ. 

Added to this are the forty days of resurrection appearances of Jesus.  Jesus was not just some mist that went back to heaven or some figment of the imagination.  And the resurrection of Jesus was not just the resurrection because the disciples believed it or dreamed it up…it really happened.  And the resurrection was, ultimately, to be a sign to us of our future…and our own eternal life in heaven.  (And that’s why we said in the Apostles Creed tonight…”I believe in the resurrection of the body.” 

You see, God is not just a God for now.  He is not just a being to help us get a grip on things or get through life or, as some philosophies would say, “…some kind of opiate or means of coping with life.”  God is real.  God’s son, Jesus Christ, is real.  And God’s Spirit is real. 

And God wants into your life.  Oh, He’s not going to force His way in.  His Spirit is here extending the divine offer.  His Son is knocking on the door of our hearts.  And His invitation is being extended again and again and again…and, perhaps, even forty days or the equivalent of this. 

Are we listening?  Are we ready?  Are we in tune to what God is saying?  Perhaps our Gospel lesson says it well…Luke chapter 13 verse (24) “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.  (25) Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ 

“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’  Later we read in verse 28 about the consequences of not listening to our God.  Verse (28) “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 

(29) “People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.  (30) Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” 

Yes, people will come from the east and the west and the north and the south.  And they will come because God is in charge of His church.  His very son, Jesus Christ, died for the church…His very son, Jesus Christ, made the church possible…and His very son, Jesus Christ, rose from the dead to seal our future and to seal our eternity.   

And the things and the people that we think are first will probably be last…and the things and people we think of last will probably be first.  And those are the “finishing touch” words of Jesus in verse (30) Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” 

May we realize this today as we confess our sins…as we repent of them…as we believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ…the Good News…that Jesus is our Savior.  May God grant this to us for Jesus’ sake.  Amen. 

Sermon for Aug. 8, 2010

Immanuel’s Ministry By Manuscript
Immanuel Lutheran Church - Freeport, Illinois

The Rev. Dr. Willis R. Schwichtenberg, Pastor  

“For Where Your Treasure Is…
There Your Heart Will Be Also”
(based on Luke 12:22-34, especially v. 34)
10th in a series on “Finishing Words of Jesus”
 

Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our heavenly Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Gospel lesson as we continue our series on the “Finishing Touches” of Jesus…the “Finishing Words” of Jesus…and today we especially look at the last verse…verse (34) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This is our text for the day. In the Name of Jesus, dear friends in Christ. It has been a tough summer for some of you. Water in the basement. And for some of you there was more than a little water.

Some of you are still reeling from the financial meltdown in our nation and the aftermath of that. Reduced finances. Problems with employment. And long-term financial challenges.

Others have health issues. The disappointing results of the tests. The surgery that didn’t work. The medicine that doesn’t seem to be helping.

And there are other stresses in our lives. Children going to college and children going back to school. Marriage problems. Issues with aging parents. Issues with our children.

Well, have I brought everyone down yet? I guess I could go on and on. And I haven’t even mentioned things like drugs and crime…the oil spill in the Gulf…the threat of hurricanes…man’s inhumanity to man and more.

Ultimately, we need a change in attitude. We need to stop and to think and to consider what is really important in life.

And isn’t that what Jesus is doing in our text for today?…our wonderful Gospel lesson from what is called the “Sermon on the Plain” in the book of Luke. Jesus is trying to get us to have a change in attitude. (A change in attitude).

First of all, He wants us to have A change in attitude about necessities. He wants us to have a change in attitude about life and food and clothing. Verse (22) Then Jesus said to His disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.

Life is so much more than the cares and problems of this world. Jesus says in Verse (23) Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Well, I think that we know that. I think we do…but do we really think like this?

And, so, Jesus gives us an example concerning the birds…and example (we could say), for the birds. Verse (24) Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

In the Matthew account Jesus refers to sparrows. And here in the account by Dr. Luke Jesus segues into worry…and I guess that the things that I mentioned at the beginning of my sermon is all about worry…all about those things that trouble us and trouble our hearts and souls and minds.

Verse (25) Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Well, sometimes we think we can. But the logic of Jesus is impeccable. He says in verse (26) Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (Repeat)

So, Jesus is urging us to have A Change of Attitude About Everything. And Jesus cites the life of Solomon. And it’s fascinating that last Sunday we heard from Solomon about “vanity” and “worthlessness” in the reading from the book of Ecclesiastes.

“Vanity of vanity,” he wrote…”Everything is vanity…everything is worthless.” And, yet, we find Jesus alluding to Solomon as we read in verse (27) Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon (not even Solomon!) in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Flowering plants are beautiful, aren’t they?…if we could just take the time to notice them. But sometimes we’re too busy. And Jesus talks about grass and garments in verse (28) If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith!

And everything that I’m saying this morning are words that we’ve heard before. I doubt that I am breaking any new ground in this sermon. We’ve heard it all before…in fact, some of us might be saying this very thing in our minds. We know this. We know this. “We know this, Pastor, tell us something we don’t know.”

But Jesus doesn’t relent in His simple lesson to us. He also mentions food and beverage in verse (29) And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.

But, then, Jesus begins to meddle in our lives because He makes an accusation that makes us stop and listen. He says in verse (30) For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.

When I served as a vacancy pastor in Hoopeston, Illinois, one of the active young members in the church was very vocal and very deliberate about her faith. She was excited about knowing Jesus as her Savior and she wasn’t afraid to talk about it. I was struck by her sincerity and by her boldness. I once asked her what she was before she because a Lutheran and a member of that church. She looked me in the eye and said, “Before I joined this church I was a pagan.” I loved her honesty. I loved her witness.

We read again in verse (30) For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. And then Jesus says, (31) But seek His kingdom and these things will be given to you as well.

God will provide. God will provide. And God has provided. He has provided His very son Jesus Christ…and He has provided for our salvation through the life and the death and the resurrection of our Lord. And when, by faith, we seek His kingdom…and His righteousness…when we have faith in Jesus as our Savior…all of these things are added to us as well. All these things…and more. (repeat)

And that’s when we have A Change In Attitude About Life. Verse (31) But seek His kingdom and these things will be given to you as well. And Jesus adds the words in verse (32) Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

“Do not be afraid little flock.” And that’s the sermon hymn that we sang a few moments ago, isn’t it? “Have No Fear, Little Flock.” Because we no longer have to fear sin and death and the devil we can have a different attitude about life. We can and we do.

And it starts with helping others. Our new theme for the year of “Mission: Here and There and Everywhere” fits well with this theme. We read in verse (33) Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Part of our support of charitable work is what this is all about. And even our support of the drive for food for the FACC fits right into this focus.

Jesus also says in verse (33) Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out. Last Sunday we heard the parable of the rich man building bigger barns. Now, there’s nothing wrong with building barns and even building a life…but not if we don’t care about others.

“We need a change in attitude,” says Jesus…”we need to think more, care more, help more, be patient more.” As the verse continues…verse 33…Jesus talks about a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

And that’s why the finishing words of Jesus are words that are so challenging today in this self-centered and materialistic and hedonistic world. Jesus says in verse (34) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus forewarns us of what to really treasure…to look at what is really important. He wants us to slow down…calm down…ease down…and care down. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

And our Lord Jesus Christ wants us to do this as we repent of our sins and as we receive, by faith (the faith of Abraham as we heard in our Old Testament and epistle lesson)…as we receive, by faith, Jesus as our Savior and Lord. May God grant this to us for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
 

(22) Then Jesus said to His disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. (23) Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. (24) Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! (25) Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (26) Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (27) Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. (28) If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith! (29) And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. (30) For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. (31) But seek His kingdom and these things will be given to you as well. (32) Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. (33) Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. (34) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
 

Sermon for Aug. 5, 2010

Immanuel’s Ministry By Manuscript
Immanuel Lutheran Church - Freeport, Illinois

The Rev. Dr. Willis R. Schwichtenberg, Pastor  

 “I Believe in Jesus Christ...
…Descended into Hell”
(Seventeenth in a series of “Creedal Seeds”)
(Eighth in the series on Second Article) 

Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our heavenly Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.  

Our text for this evening is from I Peter chapter 3, verse (18) For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.  He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, (19) through whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison (20a) who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.  

This is our text for the day.  In the Name of Jesus, dear friends in Christ.  Some years ago when we were in the old church we had some visitors who didn’t like it when we recited the Apostles Creed…particularly the part where we say together, “He descended into hell.” 

I’m not sure exactly what their objection was but I do remember that there were these two girls who wrote in big letters several times on the “Record of Fellowship” the words “No,” “No…Jesus did not go to hell.” 

They even cited a couple of Scripture verses about Jesus rising from the dead and going to heaven.  I never really had a chance to talk with them because they only put down their first names…and no one was quite sure who these two girls were. 

It’s too bad that they didn’t really talk with us…and they really had missed the point of why we say these words, “He descended into hell.” 

I had another situation where someone totally misunderstood what is going on here when we say the words, “He descended into hell.”  I had this man who had to take our basic membership course…not to join the church…but simply to prove to the people that he worked for that he had a spiritual background.  And, so, I taught the basic membership course to him on a “one to one” basis. 

And when we got to this subject of “He descended into hell” this man had his own theory on what Jesus did when He descended into hell.  This man was convinced that Jesus did more suffering in hell…that He completed in hell what had been started on the cross. 

Now, again, that is not something that we believe and teach.  In fact, when we consider the words of Jesus from the cross…the words, “It is finished” (John 19:30) we are convinced that Jesus was saying that the work of suffering and paying for sins was
·         Over
·         Done
·         Complete
·         Sealed
·         Finished
·         Accomplished
·         Terminated
·         Concluded
·         Wrapped up
·         Closed

And any other synonym you can think of. 

(Pause)  So, why did Jesus go to hell?  Well, this phrase in the Apostles Creed…”He descended into hell” is not part of what we call the humiliation of Jesus…it is not part of the steps down in the life of Jesus…these words are actually part of His steps up…His exaltation. 

In a sense…and I like to explain it in our catechism classes in this way…in a sense, Jesus descends into the depths of hell and into the presence of the devil Himself… Satan…Lucifer…or whatever name you want to give to him…and, also, face to face with the hoards of sin and evil and death…and, yes, all those people who have rejected God and Jesus and the Trinity…and Jesus looks him in the eye and says…maybe first with a whisper…

“You’re through.
It is finished.
It is done.
It is accomplished.
I have paid for every sin.
I have overcome every evil.
In the past.
In the present.
In the future.
You’re reign is over.
You’re through.
Salvation is accomplished.” 

            In “The Passion of the Christ” the opening scene is classic.  Jesus is depicted as praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He is agonizing.  He is sweating great drops of blood.   

And, suddenly, there’s a snake…a deadly snake…a deadly poisonous snake…and Jesus crushes the snake with His heel…and then the story of the passion begins.  It is powerful symbolism for what we are talking about here when we say the words in the Creed, “He descended into hell.” 

            Now, it’s true that the references to this portion of the creed are very limited.  This passage in First Peter is one of the only references…though we do have a couple of other limited references. 

            For example, Colossians 2, verse (15) And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He (Jesus) made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

            And we also read in Philippians chapter 2, verse

(9) Therefore God exalted Him
to the highest place
And gave Him the name
that is above every name,
(10) that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
In heaven and on earth
and under the earth,
And every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord
To the glory of God the Father. 

Many people say it this way…”At the end of time…after the final triumph of Jesus and His return in glory…even the devil…even Satan and all of His hordes will have to step forward before the throne of Christ and say these words from Philippians”…these words in verse

(10) that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
In heaven and on earth
and under the earth,
And every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord
To the glory of God the Father. 

And that’s really what this first step up is all about…that’s really what these words, “He descended into hell” are all about…and why it is a step up and not a step down. 

Apparently, some time after the burial of Jesus on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter Sunday… sometime between His burial and His resurrection. Jesus was compelled to literally “go to hell” and to point and poke at Satan.  And that’s what the Apostle Peter…the disciple whom Jesus loved…is talking about. 

We read in I Peter 3, verse (18) For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.  He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, (19) through whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison (20a) who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.  

I pray my friends in Christ, that this is what we believe and this faith is ours as we repent of our sins and lay them at the feet Jesus. And we pray that it would be ours as we receive that forgiveness that only Jesus can give to us, through the power of His Holy Spirit. 

May God grant this to us for Jesus’ sake.

Sermon for July 22, 2010

Immanuel’s Ministry By Manuscript
Immanuel Lutheran Church - Freeport, Illinois

The Rev. Dr. Willis R. Schwichtenberg, Pastor  

 “I Believe in Jesus Christ…Died”
(Fifteenth in a series of “Creedal Seeds”)
(Sixth in the series on Second Article) 

Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our heavenly Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.  

Our text for this evening is from the book of Romans, chapter 7, verse (24) What a wretched man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death? 

This is our text for the day.  In the Name of Jesus, dear friends in Christ.  I don’t think that any of us really like to talk about death and dying.  I know.  I know.  Sometimes when a person is in a nursing home or is gravely ill in the hospital or at home, death almost comes as a relief.  I have certainly seen it as a pastor.  And I’m sure that once in a while there is a family member who sees in the death of a loved one…almost a sense of relief. 

But I really think that times like this are rare.  I really don’t think that we like to talk about death that much…especially when we are in fairly good health…or especially when we are talking with our loved ones.  We want to keep them as long as humanly possible. 

When my father celebrated his 96^th birthday my brother, Bud, said to him, “Dad, I hope that you live to be a hundred.”  And my Father looked at him and said, “Don’t wish that on me.”  

Death is not an easy subject to discuss.  The other day in the grocery story I saw one of our Immanuel graduates and I asked him how his grandpa was doing and he said, “Oh, didn’t you know?  He passed away in early May.”  I did not know and I said to him, “I’m sorry at your loss.”  And he looked at me and said with a brave faith, “That’s OK; he’s in a better place.” 

It takes some faith to talk like this, doesn’t it?  And in tonight’s sermon we would talk about the next in our series of messages on the Second Article of the Apostles Creed…we are talking tonight about “I believe in Jesus Christ…died.”  We have talked about…

·         “I believe in Jesus Christ suffered under Pontius Pilate (we said two weeks ago)

·         and “I believe in Jesus Christ crucified we said last Thursday…

·         and, now, “I believe in Jesus Christ…Died.”   (repeat) 

            But the death of Jesus was different from any other death in the history of time.  Because of the reality of sin in the world…starting with Adam and Eve…all people have faced death.   

            And in our world today we are even trying to disguise death or to say that it is something different from what it really is.

·         Some people would say, “Oh, it’s natural.  It’s a natural part of life and living.”

·         Or they will say, “Everything dies.  So it’s simply something that we have to accept.”

·         Or they will try to gloss it over and say

·         “It is best.”

·         Or, “It is better.”

·         Or, “They are in a better place.”

·         Or, “Just accept it.”

·         Or whatever. 

            But death is not really natural.  Oh, it’s natural in the plant world and the animal world and, because of sin, it is even natural in the human world…but it’s not really what God intended for the world and for humans.  God really had other plans for us…to live forever…and these plans have been thwarted by

·         Sin

·         And the devil

·         And by death.

These are the so-called “unholy” three—sin and death and the devil. 

            But that’s really not what God wanted.  And it’s certainly not what Jesus wanted…and certainly not what God wanted for His son…for Jesus. 

            We read in Romans 5, verse (12) Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned. 

            Death is not a natural part of life and living and it certainly wasn’t a so-called natural part of the life of Jesus Christ.   

            Later in the book of Romans in this same chapter, the Apostle Paul writes in verse (19) For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. 

            In the Apostles Creed when we said the words, “I believe in Jesus Christ…died” we making one of the most profound statements in all of human history. 

·         Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

·         Jesus Christ is the very Son of God.

·         True God and true man.

·         Truly divine and truly human.

(Pause)

So, how can God die?  How can God die? 

            And please don’t try to explain this away and don’t try to gloss it over…and don’t say, “Oh, the man part of Jesus died but the God part didn’t.”  Please don’t say that.  That’s not the point.  And that’s not very good theology.  It may be good human logic but it’s not good theology and it’s not really Biblical.  Jesus Christ in His incarnation cannot be separated.  Jesus cannot be divided into two beings because He is not.  He is one being, totally united in the incarnation…God becoming flesh.

·         And Jesus Christ was really conceived.

·         Jesus Christ was really born.

·         Jesus Christ really suffered.

·         Jesus Christ was really crucified.

·         And Jesus Christ really died. 

I know it’s illogical.  I know it’s scandalous.  I know it’s amazing.  I know it’s profound.  I know it’s impossible!  (Pause)  But I also know it is true. 

In I Corinthians chapter 15…the great resurrection chapter in the Bible…Paul writes in verse (3) For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance:  that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (4) that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures. 

I cannot begin to explain this fifth step down in what we call the “humiliation” of Jesus.  I can’t begin to explain it.  But I do believe it.  And I would encourage you that we all must do the same.  We simply believe it because this was the only way in which our sins could be paid for.  We simply believe it.  (Pause; slowly) We simply believe it. 

That’s why we boldly and carefully say, “I believe in...“I believe in Jesus Christ…

·         conceived

·         Born

·         Suffered

·         Crucified.

·         Died. 

I pray my friends in Christ, that this is what we believe and this faith is ours as we repent of our sins and lay them at the feet Jesus. And it’s ours as we receive that forgiveness that only Jesus can give to us, through the power of His Holy Spirit.

            May God grant this to us for Jesus’ sake.

Sermon for July 18, 2010

Immanuel’s Ministry By Manuscript
Immanuel Lutheran Church - Freeport, Illinois

The Rev. Dr. Willis R. Schwichtenberg, Pastor  

“Mary Has Chosen What Is Better”
(based on Luke 10:38-42; especially verse 42)

            Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our heavenly Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.   

            Our text for today’s sermon message is the Gospel lesson for today…and especially the words of Jesus in verse (42) But only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.  This is our text for the day! 

In the Name of Jesus, dear friends in Christ.  You can find anything on the Internet.  Even lists of excuses for not going to church.  One such site that I checked out this past week was “The Mother of All Excuses Place.”  It was actually a site for a variety of excuses that people use and make…and it had a special section for excuses for missing church…some 180 excuses.  Here’s a few. 

Number 15.  It’s boring.

Number 24.  I don’t have time for God.

Number 46.  I don’t want to be around a bunch of Bible thumpers.

Number 51.  I don’t like the songs we have to sing.

Number 74.  The pews are too hard.

Number 81.  They’re always asking me for more of my money.

Number 95.  (And I toned this one down a bit) The guy I was with last night…you know…what’s his name…couldn’t tell me where the nearest church was…heathen that he must me.

Number 107.  I’m sorry I can’t come to church because I’m all out of peanut butter.  It doesn’t have anything to do to keep you from going to church but it is just as good of an excuse as any of the others.

Number 125.  I didn’t go to church because I had a dream.  God was in it and He said not to go!

Number 160.  I felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to go fishing.

Number 167.  The pastor works on the Sabbath (Day)!  What a hypocrite!

Number 180.  I might get saved and have to go all the time. 

            Some of these excuses would be funny…if they weren’t so sad.  Some of us could probably add to the list.  And I doubt that any of us have to come up with more reasons about not going to church or Bible study.   

            In our text for today the words of Jesus in our “Finishing Touches” message are very simple.  Very simple indeed.  Mary has chosen what is better.  And, by the way, this was not the Virgin Mary or Mary Magdalene…it was another Mary…part of a family of three who were good friends with Jesus…Mary and Martha and Lazarus. 

            And Martha…sometimes the “goat” or “scapegoat” of this story…was really a pretty good and nice lady.  She was “open”…”open” to Jesus.  We read in verse (38) As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him.” 

            Now, the Bible doesn’t say whether or not all of the company of the disciples came to Martha’s home…I think that maybe they did…and this would mean even more work.  But note that Martha was such an “open” person and note that you and I definitely have a need to be “open” to. 

            We need to be open to the special work of Jesus.  We need to be open about going to church and Bible study.  And, yes, we need to be “open” to our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Now, not everyone of us would be able to entertain people…or to entertain “angels” like Abraham did in our Old Testament lesson for today…that Abraham entertained “angels unaware” as the King James Version translates in Hebrews 13, verse (2) Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 

            But Martha definitely had that gift of hospitality…and then some.  And I guess that we could ask the question about what we can learn from this?  But Martha had a deeper problem.  She was so caught up in the logistics of the situation that she didn’t notice the Lord Jesus who was sitting in her home.  We read in verse (39) She had a sister called Mary who sat the Lord’s feet listening to what He said.  (40) But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to (Jesus) and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!” 

            Now, is there anything wrong with cooking and cleaning?  Hardly.  And I’m certainly not suggesting that we should neglect our home or the work that needs to be done around the house.   

But…but…there is a big difference between making a living and making a life.  There is a big difference in being busy and in spending time…real time…with family and friends.  And there’s a time and a place for everything.  And Martha’s problem was a problem of timing.  A problem of timing.  Verse (41) Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset (busy and troubled) about many things, (42) but only one thing is needed. 

There is a need to choose what is better.  There is a need to choose what is better.  And what was better…and what is better…was sitting there…what was and is better was sitting there in front of Mary…and in front of Martha too.  And, yes, in front of us, too! 

We read in verse (42) but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. (repeated)   

And why is this better?  There’s nothing wrong with serving, of course, and this was the point of the parable of the Good Samaritan that we considered last Sunday.  There’s nothing wrong with serving and helping and taking care of what needs to be done.  In fact, what Martha was doing was not wrong.  It was her timing. 

And the point that Jesus is making here is the point of listening to and responding to the Savior of the world who gave His very life in payment of and for our sins. 

Doing the dishes and sweeping the floor and organizing the kitchen and baking and cooking and dusting and cleaning are all good.  But if we miss Jesus teaching and preaching and suffering under Pontius Pilate and crucified and dying on the cross in payment of our sins because we’re too busy with the mundane things of life…we haven’t just missed a little…we have missed it all…and can’t “TiVo” life and turn back time and start over…we have missed it all.  We have missed it all. 

            Jesus said, as recorded in verse (42) but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. 

            I can’t really stress and emphasize this enough.  Weekly worship of our Lord is not just a commandment or a suggestion…it is one of the most important things that we do.  It isn’t just something to keep the church going or to provide some relief from the problems of the world…it needs to become the very fabric of our being. 

            The other commandments—four through ten--are filled with things to do and not to do that have a moral dimension and a profound effect on the character of our being…killing and stealing and gossiping and so forth.  But the Third Commandment, on the other hand, is about expressing to our God our faithfulness and obeying what He would have us do. 

            When Jesus was saying, “Mary has chosen what is better” Jesus was saying it all.

·         Worship is better. 

·         Study of God’s Word is better. 

·         Yes, helping others in the Name of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is better. 

·         Listening to and modeling Jesus is better. 

            So, how do we learn and grow?  Well, the dishes and the house cleaning and the cooking and the dusting and the laundry and mowing the lawn and taking out the garbage would still be there when Jesus was done teaching.  Such things are always there. But, armed with the Gospel of Jesus Christ…armed with our faith…armed with a new resolve from God the Holy Spirit…we can do our tasks with a new sense of purpose. 

            And that happens as we confess our sins…as we repent of them…and as we believe the Gospel…the Good News that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord.  May God grant this to us for Jesus’ sake.  Amen.
 

Sermon for July 15, 2010

Immanuel’s Ministry By Manuscript
Immanuel Lutheran Church - Freeport, Illinois

The Rev. Dr. Willis R. Schwichtenberg, Pastor  

 “I Believe in Jesus Christ…Crucified”
(Fourteenth in a series of “Creedal Seeds”)
(Fifth in the series on Second Article)

Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our heavenly Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.  

Our text for this evening is Luke chapter 23, verses (32) Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with (Jesus) to be executed. (33) When they came to the palce called the Skull, there they crucified Him, along with the criminals—one on His right, the other on His left. (34) Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His clothes by casting lots. 

In the Name of Jesus, dear friends in Christ. How do you like your hamburgers or brats? Rare? Medium? Well done? I’m not sure that too many of us like our brats rare. But some would like a nice steak or hamburger rare or medium…and some like it well done or very well done. Some, not too many, like it when you can see red or pink in the middle of the hamburger or steak or even red juices running out. Whoa. I’m getting a little too specific, don’t you think? 

Many of you who worship with us regularly on Thursday night know that Pastor Schultz and I are committed to a lengthy series of messages on the Apostles Creed that we are calling “Creedal Seeds.” Tonight’s message on the second article is the fourteenth message in that series and the fifth on the Second Article of the Apostles Creed. 

Our messages have been
• “I believe in Jesus Christ” and we looked at the names “Jesus” and Christ…
• And we had “I believe in Jesus Christ…conceived”
• “I believe in Jesus Christ…born”
• And “I believe in Jesus Christ…who suffered under Pontius Pilate.”
• And tonight our theme is “I believe in Jesus Christ…Crucified.” 

When Diane Dietmeier and I met yesterday to discuss our worship services for tonight and Sunday when I said, “The Thursday theme is ‘Jesus Christ Crucified’” she just sort of looked at me as if to say, “That’s going to be pretty heavy for an outdoor service” or she gave me that look, “That’s going to be pretty dry, pastor” or “Do you really want to do that?” 

I remember in the old church on South Chicago Avenue that we had a guest speaker for mission Sunday about 20 years ago…and I’m not sure why he did this…because it wasn’t the season of Lent…it was in September when our mission Sunday is usually held…but he went into a rather gory and graphic description of the crucifixion…and the medical and biological aspects of this horrible way to die and the terrible suffering that Jesus faced. He gave us way too much information. 

I remember this Sunday pretty well because 2 or 3 people literally got up and left the church…really…and I seldom hear very much about guest speakers…but after the service in the following week or two…several people spoke with me…several men, in fact…and a couple of the elders…but they spoke with me about how much they did not appreciate what this guest speaker said and did. They said that he had said too much about the “how’s” of the crucifixion. 

And I had to agree. It was just too much. Now, it wasn’t that what Jesus did and faced was not that tough. It was. The death of Jesus on the cross was a horrible experience. Horrible and excruciating. But I suppose that it’s possible to say too much about it or to be too graphic. 

I’ve said it several times from the pulpit and in other settings…that this was the beauty and the bane of Mel Gibson’s movie on the “Passion of the Christ.” (Well, Mel Gibson definitely has some banes and blessings of his own right now.) 

But the challenge of this movie was that we saw what really happened to Jesus. And in that aspect, I enjoyed (if I can use that word… enjoyed) the movie…but as I have said several times from the pulpit…I really don’t want to see the movie again. It really was too graphic…and I was almost reminded too much of what my Lord suffered for me. 

And other movies on the passion have not really done this to me. I think of “Jesus Christ: Superstar” and I love watching that movie…even the well-done crucifixion scene. Or the movie “The Greatest Story Ever Told” from several decades ago…pretty slow moving but pretty good.  

And I really liked Johnny Cash’s movie on the crucifixion of Jesus…called “The Gospel Road.” (In my first church in Wisconsin we actually rented the movie and got a movie projector…remember those?…and had a special showing in church.) 

Is it possible to be too graphic when we talk about Jesus Christ…crucified? Perhaps. Perhaps. In our annual depiction of the passion of Jesus we struggle a bit with this…especially the crucifixion scene and some of the events leading up to it. 

One year I had the idea to have the water turn red in the bowl as Pilate washed his hands. One of our cast members cautioned me to be careful and advised me not to do it.

Others have said that to have Jesus depicted in the nice white gown on the cross almost seems too pristine.  

But others don’t like it when we make the sounds of the nails which entered the hands of Jesus and secured him to the cross. Some think we should include the scene of Jesus being whipped. Others are glad that we do not include it. Some wouldn’t miss the drama on Maundy Thursday or the Tenebrae service on Good Friday and others literally refuse to come. 

One year as we were watching the crucifixion scene as we present it, one little child in the audience said the words, “Mommy, why are they killing that man?”

It was sort of funny…but sort of special. Why indeed were they killing this man? Why indeed were they killing Jesus when the events of the crucifixion unfolded? And we know that the answer is sin…and the reality of death…and the payment that Jesus made for our sins. 

The tension here is great. We have the tension of making the cross so pretty…so beautiful…so ornate…that we lose the reality of what happened to Jesus there. I’m sure that this is why some people don’t appreciate the crucifix in church…but others are saying, “Why not?” “Why not?” Some of us need to see what Jesus experienced. 

And I suppose that we can so totally remove the cross and crucifixion from the reality of suffering, that we can make Christianity into a beautiful but not very graphic religion. I suppose that we can so totally remove the cross and the crucifixion from the reality of suffering that we simply make the tenets of Christianity into a set of rules and regulations and make the Christian faith into a moral or intellectual decision, far removed from pain and suffering and death. 

I hope not. Christianity is not a moral or intellectual decision. Christianity is not a set of moral principles. In fact, we could speak very frankly of the scandal of the cross. Jesus really lived. And Jesus really died…much to the scandal of society and his followers. 

That’s why we boldly and carefully say, “I believe in...“I believe in Jesus Christ… crucified.” Jesus Christ Crucified. 

I pray my friends in Christ, that this is what we believe and this faith is ours as we repent of our sins and lay them at the feet Jesus. And it’s ours as we receive that forgiveness that only Jesus can give to us, through the power of His Holy Spirit.

May God grant this to us for Jesus’ sake. 

MEMBERSHIP CLASSES for Immanuel Lutheran Church are held each Sunday from 9:15 – 10:15 am in the Pastor’s office.  A basic Bible and doctrine study, called “I Have Good News for You” is used.  Completion of this class could lead to adult membership.  Alice Schwichtenberg is the teacher. Call 235-1993 or talk to pastor or Alice for more information.

NEW VICAR:  The new vicar for Immanuel Lutheran Church and School is Mr. Brian Weaver, from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.  He was installed on Sunday, August 22 and who preached his first sermon in our midst on August 29.  He and his wife, Victoria, live at the vicarage/parsonage house at 806 South Park Boulevard.  His ministry focus at Immanuel includes parish education, family life, Sunday School/Faith Odyssey, youth, and other regular vicarage duties.  Victoria Weaver is our new Athletic Director and oversees our Immanuel Sports program as well as the Tri-State and December Invitational tournaments.  They both hail from Texas and for the last two years Victoria has served as D.C.E. (Director of Christian Education).  Get to know the Weavers! 

PRAYER DAY:  Our next all day “Day of Prayer” is set for Thursday, September 2.  Sign up with Pastor Schwichtenberg via E-mail or see the sign-up sheet on the clipboard in the narthex to pray at church or home. 

IMMANUEL TWO PRESENTATIONS:  Each week our “Immanuel Two” presentations feature a mission or ministry in the congregation or includes special information.  To schedule an Immanuel Two, please talk to or e-mail Pastor Schwichtenberg.    

TOUR:  Linda M. Hoch Auman invites you to a free self guided tour of 15 artists in their studios as part of the second annual Prairie Land Art Tour on September 25/26 from 10:00-4:00 each day.  Linda’s address is 528 East Illinois Street, Freeport 

IWM, Immanuel Women's Ministry, has a new seasonable schedule of fellowships.  Please check out all the signs around the church and invite friends to share too.   The Fall IWM will be in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, October 2 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. with a free brunch provided.  We ask you to donate cookies for shut-ins visits and we encourage you to come and make cards for them for the activity.    

HARVEST/MISSIONS SUNDAY:   Our annual focus on Harvest and Missions will be Sunday, September 26 (with ingathering of food on September 19 and 26).  Our guest speaker on September 26 will be Dr. Arthur (Andy) Bacon, retired military chaplain, and professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.  Dr. Bacon (a former member of Immanuel) will present the sermon messages, lead the Bible class, and offer special prayers for Pastor Richard “Ros” Schultz and his part-time military chaplaincy. 

LOOKING AHEAD:  Please note that there will be acolyte training on October 3 from 12:00 to 1:30.  Pizza lunch will be provided. 

CONCORDIA SOCIETY: The ladies will meet Wednesday, September 1, in Fellowship Hall at 12 noon for a share-a-dish luncheon. Officers will furnish drinks and dessert. Devotions will be led by Pastor Schwichtenberg on Parables Overview – (Matthew 9:34-17).Yearly dues of $7.00 will be collected as well as a “Free Will Offering” and a Mission Jar of 50 cents. 

FACC VOLUNTEERS who served in August were Shirley Zulke, Richard and Alice Borchert, and Glen and Linda Auman.  

THEME:  “By the Book” is the school’s theme for the year.  It might remind us of text books, which is appropriate.  When we hear about someone being booked, we think of policies, procedures, and laws.  It’s also true that rules are important.  Most important, though, is “the Good Book.”  That’s what we really want to know and live by.  We want to live by the Bible.  The theme verse is 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 

PLAYGROUND: Thanks to the generosity of an Immanuel School family, gifts to the school’s future playground climber are being matched – up to $5000.   The matching gift offer extends through Labor Day.  Current gifts being matched are $3600.   

MEMORIALS:  A memorial to Bob Stone, Immanuel parent and grandparent, as well as chair of the Board of Education in the mid-1990’s, has been received.  It has been used to purchase an entire set of student desks for the 3^rd grade.  Those desks were over 30 years old, and in disrepair.  A camcorder for the school was also donated in Bob’s memory.  Memorials to Doris Larsen, Sandi Fluechting, and Lois Short were approved to purchase computer and PowerPoint projectors for the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grade classrooms.  What a blessing this technology will be, as lessons that can be visually enhanced have a greater impact on learning than many traditional modes of presentation.  These memorials will be acknowledged and dedicated on Sunday, August 29 – part of the focus on the school ministry.   

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR:  Mrs. Victoria Weaver will be serving Immanuel Lutheran School as its new athletic director.  Her job will be to organize the sports practices, games, and tournaments at ILS.  She comes to us with a degree from Concordia, Texas – trained as a Director of Christian Education.  She has years of experience working with youth and organizing events for churches in Florida and Texas.  If you would like to coach or serve as assistant soccer or volleyball coach or cheerleading, please contact the school and your name will be passed to Mrs. Weaver 

VOLUNTEERS:  Classroom volunteers are being coordinated by Mrs. Karen Gieseke, office volunteers by Mrs. Stanton and library volunteers by Mrs. Chris Truckenmiller.  Contact the school at 232-3511 if you can help.   

CPR:  Thanks for this gift, though we hope we will never use it!  Mrs. Holly Funk is training or re-certifying Immanuel Child Development Center and School staff in this life-saving technique.  They were also trained in how to use the defibrillator, located near the statue of Jesus between the church and school.   

FLOCK A FRIEND:  What would your friends say to a flock of 24 pink flamingos on their lawn?  Surprise them for a special occasion or for a good laugh.  The 8^th graders have a flock and will send it out at your request for a $20 donation.  (You can also pay to “block the flock.”)  8^th grader Nolan Ruthe can send the birds flying at your request.  His number is 821-5929.  Proceeds benefit the Class Trip Fund.     

DISCOUNT CARDS: They are as “good as gold.”  Immanuel Lutheran School discount cards benefit the school and are a bargain at $15.  They pay for themselves after just a couple of uses.  The cards offer discounts at several local restaurants and stores.  Culver’s and Imperial Palace are the favorites.  Pizza Hut, Maria’s, Maurice’s, Fiesta Cancun, Family Video, Hallmark, and Burger King are also either new or returning favorites.  18 other great Freeport places make for a fantastic value. Each student in the school has cards to sell, or they are available in the school office. 

PICNIC: The back-to-school picnic takes place at the Gunkle Pavilion at Krape Park on Tuesday, September 14.  All are welcome.  Sloppy joes and beverages (pop, lemon aid, and coffee) will be served.  Please bring a dish to pass and your own table service.  Meet some families and staff members from the school, enjoy some great food, and relax.  Meet at 5:30.  The meal starts at 6:00. 

FHS HOMECOMING:  Watch Immanuel and other local schools and organizations at the Freeport Homecoming Parade, Wednesday, September 15.  The parade travels down Empire Street. 

MID-WEEK E-MAILS:  If you wish to get school E-mail updates send your E-mail address to school@immanuellutheranfreeport.com. 

MOMENTS

…with our Associate Pastor 

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen. 

As I hope you are aware, our new congregational theme for the 2010-2011 church year is “Mission:  Here, There, and Everywhere.”  Our focus this year will lead us into a deeper understanding of what it means to be a people of mission.  Our theme verses are from Romans 12:9-21.  I would like to share with you just the fist part of these passages. 

Romans 12:9 -  Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  

Paul encourages us to be sincere about what we are doing.  As we begin this focus on mission, this is my encouragement to you as you live your life as a Christian in mission.  Be sincere about everything you do and do it with purpose and conviction as led by the Holy Spirit.  Hate what is evil and cling to what is good.   

As we look at being a missional people of God we need to have the mindset and the knowledge that we need to get out of the way of what God is doing in us.  Our wont to hang on to the past and to hold on the evils of what is behind cripples us from seeing the work of good which God is doing in us.  Our missional lives begin with the living God working His mission in us.  He calls us in His eternal mission to be His missionaries in our daily lives and He calls us in this mission to be the people He has created us to be. 

May God grant us the will and the ability to be His missional people in this place.  Amen. 

In Christ,

 Pastor Schultz

(The Rev. Richard "ROS" Schultz, Associate Pastor)

The Rev. David and Robin Lukefahr
712 S Osteopathy
Kirksville, MO  63501
revluke@sbcglobal.net

The Rev. Patrick and Lisa Cox
780 Blossom Hill Lane
Dallastown, PA  17313
pstpic@comcast.net

The Rev. Richard and Rita Mau
1780 E Algonquin
Des Plaines, IL  60016
maushaus@juno.com

The Rev. Stephen and Pamela King
8636 SM 36
Baldwin, MI  49301-9781
vaterking@sbcglobal.net

The Rev. Mark and Corrine Brase
710 W Tyler Avenue
Fairfield, IA  52556
mcbrase@iowatelecom.net

The Rev. Gary and Sara Scharrer
663 North Main
Wilkes-Barre, PA  18705-1732
garyandsara@saltlightcity.com

The Rev. Mark and Kristen Wiesenborn
2516 Sunfish Drive
Pearland, TX  77584
wiesenmark@earthlink.net

The Rev. Brad and Lori Klein
4726 Spinning Wheel Drive
Brighton, CO  80601
blnjklein@comcast.net

The Rev. Paul and Jackie Roggow
258 S Marion Parkway
Denver, CO  80209
paulroggow@gmail.com

The Rev. David and Laurie Daniel
4401 Depot Drive
Swartz Creek, MI  48473
ddaniel@toast.net

The Rev. Richard and Jessica Schultz
806 S Park
Freeport, IL  61032-4653
rschultz@immanuellutheranfreeport.com

The Rev. Philip and Heather Robarge
3935 Merced
DesMoines, IA  50310
probarge@gloriadeionline.com

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